Sebastian Tan

Growing up, I was always the kid who couldn't sit still. In middle school, I almost burned the house down mining Bitcoin in the basement. In high school, I sold sneakers and software out of my bedroom.

I heard about Stanford from a friend during my freshman year of high school. My mom, who raised me by herself, had never even heard of the school, and when I told my principal that I wanted to go there, I remember her laughing in my face.

A couple of years later, I graduated from high school with the highest GPA in my class — and also the most absences. I got into Stanford, and we got a new head of school. This one gave me an award.

I thought I would go to Stanford, but I took a detour when Palantir called, asking me to come work in New York. My high school class thought I was an idiot for taking that swing. Alex Karp thought it was badass.

I've started three companies. The first was a job platform that helped thousands of people with criminal records get jobs. The second one got acquired the summer after I graduated high school. And the third one, I am working on now.

My biggest strength is my ability to withstand pain. My biggest fear is not reaching my potential while I'm here. My biggest hero is my mom. And my greatest enjoyment comes from spending time with amazing people whom I am lucky to call friends.